Liverpool twice got here from behind to share the spoils with Arsenal, however the efficiency from the Reds meant even a draw appeared like they’d gotten out of jail.
Arsenal 2-2 Liverpool
Premier League (9) | Emirates StadiumOctober 27, 2024
Targets
Saka 9′Van Dijk 18′ (help: Diaz)Merino 43′Salah 81′ (help: Nunez)
Arne Slot made a shock choice in midfield, with Curtis Jones most well-liked to Dominik Szoboszlai.
There was no shock that ‘injury-hit’ Arsenal had captain Bukayo Saka again of their lineup, with the house facet having two of their perceived ‘finest XI’ out injured – the identical as Liverpool (Alisson and Diogo Jota).
Inevitably it was Saka who opened the scoring early on, firing excessive previous Kelleher on the close to publish within the ninth minute after he utterly received the higher of Andy Robertson.
The end was fairly emphatic from Saka, however it was a poor objective to concede, with a number of gamers not precisely doing their jobs.
The Reds had been stage within the 18th minute when Virgil van Dijk nodded in from shut vary after Luis Diaz flicked on Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s nook.
Arsenal ought to have restored their lead inside a minute, although, when Liverpool gave away one other sloppy free-kick and Merino missed when unmarked six yards out.
Mikel Arteta’s facet dominated the remainder of the primary half, seemingly concentrating on Liverpool’s left facet and Saka creating large issues.
Liverpool didn’t get any form of possession or a foothold within the recreation, consistently dropping duels and unable to carry the ball up in assault.
It was no shock then when Arsenal re-took the lead earlier than the break when Merino headed in from a free-kick, Liverpool having didn’t study their lesson when the identical participant had a free try from the very same set piece earlier.
It summed up the half, freely giving a sloppy free kick in a harmful space and being punished for it.
It was certainly one of 4 fouls by Diaz within the first half, with the Colombian additionally dispossessed twice, dropping 11 of 16 duels, and dropping two tackles in a extremely poor half defensively.
Half time: Arsenal 2-1 Liverpool
Slot really want to alter issues at half time however opted to not make any modifications when it comes to personnel.
Arsenal, already with out centre-back William Saliba as a consequence of suspension, then misplaced Gabriel with an damage early within the second half. A makeshift duo of Ben White and sub Jakub Kiwior performed the remainder of the sport.
Slot waited to the hour to make modifications; Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Kostas Tsimikas changing Mac Allister, Diaz and Robertson. All modifications that might have occurred at half time.
Liverpool huffed and puffed with out a lot finish product to point out for it, however Alexander-Arnold lastly discovered his passing vary to launch Nunez and he arrange Salah to equalise within the 81st minute.
The Reds had been now favourites to go win the sport, however Kelleher was compelled into a good save to disclaim Gabriel Jesus.
Was it completely a poor efficiency or an indication of Liverpool not fairly being at Arsenal‘s stage?
TIA Man of the Match: Ibrahima Konate
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Attendance: 60,383
Arsenal: Raya; Partey, White, Gabriel, Timber; Rice, Merino, Trossard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Subs: Neto, Kiwior, Nichols, Zinchenko, Nwaneri, Jorginho, Lewis-Skelly, Sterling, Jesus
Liverpool: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson (Tsimikas 63′); Gravenberch, Jones (Endo 90+1′), Mac Allister (Szoboszlai 63′); Salah, Diaz (Gakpo 63′), Nunez
Subs not used: Jaros, Davies, Quansah, Gomez, Morton
Subsequent Match: Brighton (Carabao Cup; away, Wednesday 30 October)
